Congo Chair in Birch by Ilmari Tapiovaara for Asko, Finland, 1960s
About the Item
- Creator:Ilmari Tapiovaara (Designer)
- Dimensions:Height: 33.08 in (84 cm)Width: 22.25 in (56.5 cm)Depth: 33.27 in (84.5 cm)Seat Height: 12.21 in (31 cm)
- Style:Scandinavian Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1960-1980
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
- Seller Location:Hellouw, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5583229002992
Ilmari Tapiovaara
During the mid-20th century, Finnish furniture designer Ilmari Tapiovaara worked with pine, teak and his country’s native birch to create sleek and sculptural chairs, dining room tables and bookcases in the Scandinavian modern style. Tapiovaara’s areas of expertise expanded beyond furniture to include interior architecture, wooden sculptures, film posters and cutlery.
After completing his studies at the Central School of Applied Arts in Helsinki, Tapiovaara embarked on a design career that would envelop his entire life. As a young man, Tapiovaara idolized revered architect and furniture designer Alvar Aalto — whom, with his wife, Aino Aalto, cofounded Artek, the company that would eventually manufacture the majority of Tapiovaara’s creations. The budding designer had one of Aalto’s chairs in his apartment while he was a student. After graduating, he worked as an assistant in an office at Le Corbusier, then as a designer and artistic director at Asko.
By 1951, Tapiovaara and his wife, Annikki, had established their own studio. A few years previous, the pair had designed the now-legendary Domus chair while creating interiors and furnishings for a new student housing complex in Helsinki. Made of molded plywood and easily stackable, the ergonomic Domus chair, with its slender form, featured a modest silhouette — its lightweight structure allowed for easy exporting, and iconic mid-century modern furniture manufacturer Knoll added a low-backed version to its offerings in the early 1950s. (It was marketed as the Finn chair in the United States.)
Tapiovaara went on to design pieces for Pihlgren ja Ritola and Santa and Cole. His experience earned him teaching positions at the Institute of Applied Arts, the Helsinki University of Technology and the Illinois Institute of Technology. While in Chicago for the latter, he worked in the office of Mies van der Rohe.
Tapiovaara centered his passion for design on social responsibility. He wanted his creations to be accessible to everyone, which was the concept behind his democratic approach. In Finland’s postwar era, the goal was exemplary, affordable designs. With this in mind, he created products such as stackable chairs and “knock-down” pieces packed flat, so they shipped efficiently and cost less.
An influential champion of his profession, he spent two decades as a United Nations ambassador, working to improve design’s contribution to society. His lasting, collectible furniture is a testament to the designer’s goal to create humane, radiant and intimate spaces. The United Nations project included traveling to Paraguay to create much-needed furniture. A similar project followed in Mauritius.
Tapiovaara’s success as an industrial and mass producer of everyday furniture was widely recognized and awarded. He received six gold medals for his chairs alone at the Milan Triennials. He also accepted a Good Design award, the Finnish State Design Award, a prize from the Finnish Culture Foundation and the Furniture Prize of the SIO Interior Architects’ Association of Finland.
Find vintage Ilmari Tapiovaara seating, tables and lighting on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Haaften, Netherlands
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
- Model 2254 Lounge Chair by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1960sBy Fredericia, Børge MogensenLocated in Hellouw, NLAmazing lounge chair model BM-2254 Slædestolen designed by Børge Mogensen for Fredericia Stolefabrik, 1960s. This chair is adjustable in two different positions as can be seen on the...Category
Vintage 1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Oak
- Easy Chair by John De Haard in Pinewood with Hocker, the Netherlands 1960sBy Gebroeders Jonker NoordwoldeLocated in Hellouw, NLUnique Dutch Design lounge chair in pinewood, metal, and canvas with matching hocker. This chair is designed by John de Haard for 'Gebroeders Jonkers'. T...Category
Vintage 1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Leather Lounge Chair 'Lou Read' by Philippe Starck for DriadeBy Philippe Starck, DriadeLocated in Hellouw, NLLeather lounge chair 'Lou Read' for Driade. This iconic armchair is designed by Philippe Starck and Eugenio Quitllet. This model is designed for the Monceau H...Category
2010s French Modern Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Harry Bertoia "Diamond" Lounge Chair for Knoll, USA, 1980sBy Harry Bertoia, KnollLocated in Hellouw, NLA diamond lounge chair by Harry Bertoia for Knoll with Kvadrat Fabric from the USA. This chair is probably produced in the 1980s and has a black frame with a fully covered seating ar...Category
Vintage 1950s American Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal
- Three Paper Knife Chairs by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen, Denmark, 1960sBy Magnus Olesen, Kai KristiansenLocated in Hellouw, NLSet of three paper knife chairs, model 121, by Kai Kristiansen for Magnus Olesen from Denmark 1960s. These chairs in teak have a trul...Category
Vintage 1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Chairs
MaterialsTeak, Fabric
- Easy Chair in Wood and Blue Fabric, 1970sLocated in Hellouw, NLNice easy chair in wood and blue wool fabric. Our eye fell on this chair due to the shape of the nice wooden base that gives it an elegant feel due ...Category
Vintage 1970s European Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsFabric, Wood
- 1960s Finnish Pair of Crinolette Lounge Chairs by Ilmari Tapiovaara for AskoBy Asko, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Sagaponack, NYA pair of black painted birch 'Crinolette' lounge chairs with bent wood spokes tenon-joined to the solid bent back rest, maintaining original 'Asko Export' stickers.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Rare Ilmari Tapiovaara Congo Lounge ChairBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, Hagafors Stolfabrik 1Located in Los Angeles, CADesigned by Ilmari Tapiovaara, manufactured by Hagafors, Sweden. Solid wood construction with black lacquer. Newley upholstered in blue leather. Two part knock down construction. Ne...Category
Vintage 1950s Swedish Scandinavian Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Mademoiselle Lounge Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO 1960sBy Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Hannover, DELounge chair by finnish star designer Ilmari Tapiovaara for the manufacturer ASKO. Model name: Mademoiselle firstly designed in 1956.Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Fanett Dining Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO, 1960sBy Ilmari Tapiovaara, AskoLocated in München, BYOriginal Fanett dining chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for ASKO. From the 60's. With manufacturer's label on the bottom. The chair is in a beautiful vi...Category
Vintage 1960s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Chairs
MaterialsWood
- Mademoiselle Chair by Ilmari Tapiovaara for AskoBy Asko, Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Chicago, ILc. 1960s. Iconic mademoiselle chair painted white but aged. Tagged. Made in SwedenCategory
Vintage 1960s Swedish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsBirch
- Ilmari Tapiovaara Prototype Congo Folding Chair Finland 1954By Ilmari TapiovaaraLocated in Camden, MECongo folding chair designed by Ilmari Tapiovaara in 1954 manufactured by Lukkiseppo Ltd. in Finland. This prototype of the Congo chair comes from the estate of Ilmari Tapiovaara. ...Category
Vintage 1950s Finnish Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs
MaterialsMetal, Steel